Iraqi forces battle to retake Tal Afar from ISIL

Many areas in Iraq have been taken from the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant group by government forces backed by militias, but a few cities remain under ISIL control.

Many areas in Iraq have been taken back from the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) group by government forces backed by militias, but a few cities remain under ISIL control.

Iraqi forces have managed to enter Tal Afar, a city that is a major supply route between Mosul to the east and the Syrian border to the west, for the first time since ISIL took control of it years ago and have re-captured three districts.

Thousands of civilians have fled the area since the army's assault started on Sunday. The UN says around 30,000 others are trapped.